Question: Hello
I'm about to head off on an extended trip overseas visiting Mexico, Indonesia (Bali) and Singapore (where I've lived before) as well as possibly USA. I may also decide to check out some of central XXXXXXX but it would be mainly tourist areas or a cruise type travel rather than backpacking. The destinations and dates aren't certain but wondering about what vaccinations to have. I was born in 1964 in New Zealand and had the usual vaccinations.
Wanting a second opinion as my current GP records aren't full re my immunisations especially as I've lived overseas. For e.g. I believe I'm up to date with tetanus but have no record of it and visited Morocco in 2013 and am pretty sure I had a booster it then. I also may need to have some stem cell and/or further spine surgery and my prior surgeon (2009 subcutaneous plasma laser discoplasty) had advised me that Ir can't have any spinal treatment especially surgery for the prior 6 mths before any surgery as risk with spinal cord (presumably infection).
Travel clinic would basically suggest update all that I can't prove which would be Hep A (which I had in Singapore 2007), Hep B as a child but no record and tetanus.
So very confused? What to do?

I think you've misunderstood my part of question re stem cell therapy. To make it clearer - I'm unlikely to have surgery in the short term (for remaining compressed nerve, prolapse disc at C5/6 on both anterior positions causing cervical straightening, thoracic hunch/degeneration & spinal rotation affecting lower back/hips).
I'm possibly able to have stem cell treatment to assist with slowing down this degeneration.
In my prior surgery for hiatus hernia C4/5 & C5/6 I was told it was essential I hadn't had any vaccinations in the prior 6 months so could proceed with the urgent surgery described in initial question as spinal cord was being touched.
Q1 So really all I want to have is the really necessary ones. I thought if you had diphtheria as a child which was about 1968 it was for life and no need for a booster (as younger children need)?

So I want to have the really NECESSARY vaccinations but not compromise further my already dented immunity or cause delay on any stem cell treatment for 6 mths. Q2 Same with Polio which I had as a child (all 3) so surely not necessary

Q3 Should I need another tetanus if had a shot only 3 yrs ago?
Q4 Already had measles and chicken pox so why need another vaccination?

I worry about all the repeats of immunisations with side effects which not good for body and balancing that with protection of vaccinations. I know when I had the vaccinations etc but can't proove it due to sloppy record keeping.

Can you please expand on your answer and clarify this for me.

HI
Sorry for delay in response but hectic time of year. I noticed that you are a internal medicine specialist and I'm not sure how that differs to a doctor. This is no reflection on you.
May I ask if stem cell therapy is your range of practice i.e. internal medicine or does they have its own (specialist or otherwise) area. I don't know this and medical practices vary so thought important to clarify as relevant to answer and don't want to misunderstand it.
Thank you XXXXXXX